“Connecting Dots on Public Transport” at Infopark, Kochi
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Workshop Report on “Connecting dots on Public Transport” at Infopark, Kochi Report prepared by Centre for Public Policy Research on Public Transport in association with the World Trade Centre, Kochi, Kerala Workshop Report on “Connecting dots on Public Transport” at Infopark, Kochi Introduction The Infopark campus at Kakkanad is the IT hub of the city of Kochi. Kakkanad once was a peri-urban area characterised by low-density residential regions. With the establishment of Infopark, the town underwent rapid transformation in a decade. The status of Special Economic Zone (SEZ) accorded to the export industrial zone in Kakkanad attracted a large number of industries, resulting in the area transforming into a high-density industrial and economic centre. Today, the workforce of Infopark is around 30,000 and the number is rising day by day. The initiation of Smart City and the second phase of Infopark will only amplify the commercial activities in Kakkanad. When the growth of a town is rapid and unplanned, it needs to be supplemented with adequate infrastructure facilities. In the case of Kakkanad, the primary requirement is to provide better connectivity with other major cities and towns. The transportation issues faced by the employees of Infopark show the flaws in the transportation infrastructure here. Most of the employees of Infopark depend on private vehicles, which results in traffic congestion and increase in the number of accidents near the campus. The issues of on-street parking and lack of parking space inside the campus also add to the difficulties of the commuters. An ideal solution to the poor traffic scenario is increasing the share of public transport in Kakkanad. The area needs a comprehensive mobility plan for identifying the gaps in public transport and mapping the traffic and vehicular movement. There are two major reasons for the dwindling share of public transport usage by Infopark employees. 1) Poor connectivity of Infopark campus with the Kochi city, nearby residential areas and nearby towns 2) Inadequate facilities for travel inside the campus The Infopark campus is poorly connected with the major residential areas in and around Kakkanad by means of public transport. The few buses that ply the region are packed during the peak hours. The commuters from other parts of the city also face the issue of crowded buses. The campus has only two entry and exit gates, which are located far from the Kakkanad town and bus stand. A commuter has to change at Centre for Public Policy Research| World Trade Centre Page 1 Workshop Report on “Connecting dots on Public Transport” at Infopark, Kochi least three buses to reach the Infopark campus from Vytilla. Unlike other areas in the city, the campus requires round-the-clock connectivity because of the varying working hours of the companies. Since ridesharing in auto rickshaws and taxis is not legalised, people have no ridesharing options, unless the companies are providing them with cabs or vans. The upcoming metro rail project will be attempting to link Infopark with the major areas in the city. However, without adequate provisions for feeder services and other forms of connectivity with metro stations, it will be difficult to forecast the shift of Infopark employees from private vehicles to metro rail. Lack of information on public transport systems is another impediment when it comes to the efficient utilisation of existing public transport networks, especially for non- Keralites. Centre for Public Policy Research| World Trade Centre Page 2 Workshop Report on “Connecting dots on Public Transport” at Infopark, Kochi Public vehicles are not allowed inside the campus, as per the SEZ policy, which has affected the utilisation of transport options at Infopark. Most of the Infopark companies do not provide transport facility inside the campus, which compels employees to use their own vehicles. There are no cycle tracks or pedestrian amenities within or outside Infopark, which would have facilitated non-motorised transport usage on the campus. ‘Connecting the Dots on Public Transport’, a workshop organised by Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR) and World Trade Centre (WTC), Kochi, held at Infopark assessed the issues and challenges regarding transportation in Infopark and discussed the way forward for developing public transportation in the area. Suggestions from the representatives of IT companies, NGOs and interested groups were collated during the workshop for further consideration. It was agreed that WTC would take the lead in coordinating the plans for building a robust mobility plan for Infopark with the assistance of CPPR and other stakeholders. Suggestions from the Workshop The authorities need to reroute buses or provide additional bus services to the area. Modern transportation infrastructures such as demand-based bus systems should be introduced, along with improving the existing water and road connectivity to the area. The idea of dedicated buses for Infopark employees should be proposed to the Ernakulam Regional Transport Office (RTO) that in turn will review the matter with KSRTC, KURTC, KMRL, private bus operators, companies in Infopark and the Infopark administration. Centre for Public Policy Research| World Trade Centre Page 3 Workshop Report on “Connecting dots on Public Transport” at Infopark, Kochi Providing information kiosks, ridesharing options, modernised bus waiting sheds etc will act in favour of increasing the share of public transport usage. Campus facilities such as street furniture, lighting, cycle tracks and other pedestrian facilities can be improved to facilitate and encourage non-motorised transport. Transportation data of the employees of Infopark can be collected with the help of the GPS tracking system to identify the major transportation corridors and trip generation points. This data can be used to efficiently plan transportation network for the area. This will also facilitate better planning for developing infrastructure provisions in and around the campus. If the 160-odd companies in Infopark come together, they can contribute significantly towards facilitating transport infrastructure and spreading awareness among the employees. The restriction on the entry of public vehicles to the Infopark campus should also be reconsidered, if the usage of public transport is to be encouraged. The failure of transportation providers and development authorities to address appropriately the rapid development of the area surrounding Infopark has led to the existing traffic conundrum here. Most of the solutions or suggestions mentioned above are short-term plans. Infopark and Kakkanad require concrete long-term strategy to facilitate comprehensive and efficient mobility in the region. Centre for Public Policy Research| World Trade Centre Page 4 Workshop Report on “Connecting dots on Public Transport” at Infopark, Kochi Suggestions and Plan of Action Sl Short Long Plan of Action Issue Suggestions No Term Term 1 Bus 1.1 Introduce new bus routes Consult Ernakulam Connectivity a) Tripunithura – Express Highway – District Collector, and Routing Athulya – Lulu – Carnival – Infopark CEO, Kakkanad/Alwaye Ernakulam RTO, b) Kakkanad – Carnival – Lulu – Athulya – KSRTC/KURTC CSEZ – Kakkanad (shuttle bus, preferably and private bus every hour) – Circular Feeder Buses operators c) Start direct bus services from Palarivattam, Vyttila, Tripunithura and Alwaye to Infopark 1.2 Extend private bus routes from Kakkanad to Edachira 1.3 Introduce additional bus services on Mondays and Fridays 1.4 Introduce shuttle services that are Propose plan to a) private and owned by Infopark Infopark officials between Kalamassery, Kakkanad and Tripunithura b) run every hour at least in the routes of Infopark–Kakkanad, Infopark– Palarivattam (Infopark–Kakkanad service may have lesser demand during off-peak hours, so it can be extended to Palarivattam for cost benefits) 1.5 Introduce safe bus travel for school Propose plan to children and aged people Infopark officials 1.6 Demand more trains to stop at Tripunithura, Kalamassery and Edappally railways Consult Indian stations Railway South Zone Centre for Public Policy Research| World Trade Centre Page 5 Workshop Report on “Connecting dots on Public Transport” at Infopark, Kochi 2 Information 2.1 Set up a dedicated help-desk for Consult Ernakulam Disseminati information regarding real-time availability of public RTO, KSRTC and on transport private bus 2.2 Publish the information on transport operators facilities provided by Infopark onvarious identified area 2.3 Circulate traffic updates through web- based or app systems 3 Infrastructu 3.1 Identify and develop bus stops and bus waiting Consult re sheds at appropriate places Thrikakkara Municipality 3.2 Install traffic signals at front gates, rear gates Consult Traffic (Expressway via S A Road) and Carnival Infopark, as Police accidents have occurred here in the past year 3.3 Allocate space for auto rickshaw stand in front of Consult Traffic Carnival Infopark Police and auto rickshaw unions and propose plan 3.4 Develop a two-way road from Kakkanad/M G Consult Public Junction till Infopark Works Department 3.5 Moot road and infrastructure development on the (PWD) following roads: M G Road – Pulleppady – Chalikkavattom Vennala – Chithettukara – Infopark Vallarpadam – Kalamassery Kakkanad – Kothamangalam Consult Private bus 3.6 Provide bus board names in all languages operators and KSRTC 4 Feeder 4.1 Introduce prepaid buggies/share autos Consult Infopark Services